Going to buy a rifle tomorrow. The choice is between a .270 Stevens 200 model, or a 7mm 08 Marlin XS7. Please help me decide. Im trying to buy a whitetail deer rifle and occasionally hogs. Thanks to all for your input.

Given a choice between the two I would go with the Marlin in 7-08.

are you going to be hunting for a while? Or once a year? what do you plan hunting with it?

Ballistically they are almost identical. I have a both calibers and cannot tell the difference between the two.

Save some money and buy and Remington 700 ADL...it is head and shoulders better than those 2.

I would agree that the ADL is better, but its also more expensive so I dont see how he is going to save any money by going that route.

I would go with the Stevens over the Marlin.

Save "up" some "more" money.....that should clear things up

anyone else im about even on opinions

I love my Marlin, it's a little beast! Best 300 bucks I've ever spent. Why not pick one up in .308? It would be cheaper to shoot and the recoil isn't bad at all.

I looked hard at a Marlin when I bought my Tikka. I liked them a lot but I could not get over how cheap the saftey felt. It felt like it was going to break when operating it. If it weren't for that I would have got one. I have looked at Brandon's Stevens with the camo stock and I was impressed considering the price.

Yea Brandon loves that Stevens he has. Since I just spent 2 grand on a gun, just thought I would try to find something a little cheaper but good. Later on I can replace parts on the stevens.

The stevens and marlin are direct competitors. I give the nudge to the stevens because it doesn't have the cheesy safety the marlin has. The stevens is just a model 10 without the accutrigger and accustock. You can add stock and trigger later if you like.

stevens 200. Mine shot .5" with rem core lokts

thanks guys. Im leaning towards the stevens then.

Academy has the Stevens on sale for $229 in 270 and 7-08.

Sharp Shooters Supply and Stockade Riflestocks can set you up with plenty of aftermarket parts for Savage and Stevens.

Yeah, go with the Stevens. They are good shooters and lots more aftermarket add ons out there if you want later.

I have the Stevens in .270 and love it. Seems to shoot cheaper ammo better too!

Love the Marlin XL-7, bought the wife one in .25-06. Great trigger (accutrigger-like), recessed crown, and IMO a better stock. And I prefer the XL-7-style safety for hunting as it's easier with gloves on. If you're going to leave it as-is and just hunt with it the Marlin gets the nod. I like her little rifle so much I think I'll be "borrowing" it some next year.

FYI, I have a Savage 16 as a basis of comparison.

All in all, handle both, see which fits and feels better to you. Both good guns and good values.

I have an XL-7 and I love it. Its awesome.

I think the safety is BETTER on the marlin.

The stock and trigger are way better on the marlin than on the Stephens.

My XS7 in .243 has been terrific and was not expensive.

Now looking for a Stevens 200 in .223 for my teenaged son. I can find them at various places for $300 plus, but was hoping for one of these Academy low priced deals. If anyone sees one at a good price, I would appreciate the heads up.

Thanks in advance,
AJ

they had one left at academy in Shreveport,La but its to far for you. IT was $229.00 Sounds like a steal to me.

Honestly dude both are good rifles. Both are way accurate for there price range. I was shocked the groups coming out of my brothers XL7. Out of those 2 id choose the XL7 because of the adjustable trigger. And id prob get it in another caliber. Due to ammo prices and availability of 308, 30-06, 243, 270 being better than 7mm-08.

My buddy had a 200 in 308 before a budget crunch hit him;the rifle would shoot sub-MOA with a cheap scope. Likewise a relative has one in 7 mag that has taken it's share of elk and mulies. Good gun,just not very pretty. Kix

Did you buy one or what???

Of those two, STEVENS everytime

And 270 everytime